NHL roundup: Crosby out indefinitely with broken jaw

March 31, 2013|Reuters

The Sports Xchange

NHL roundup: Crosby out indefinitely with broken jaw

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely while he recovers from oral surgery for a broken jaw after being hit in the mouth Saturday during the Penguins' 15th straight victory, the team announced Sunday.

The Penguins did not give a timetable for Crosby's expected return but said no concussion symptons are present. A string of concussions that sidelined him for parts of the past two seasons make head injuries a concern.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Crosby should be back in time for the playoffs.

Crosby was struck in the face by a slap shot from teammate Brooks Orpik that apparently deflected off the stick of another player just 1:28 into the game against the New York Islanders. The bloodied Crosby, who lost several teeth, was taken from the game to a local hospital for the surgery and remained there overnight.

---Detroit Red Wings captain, Henrik Zetterberg did not play in Sunday's game against Chicago because of a groin injury, and he may not play Mon day either.

He is listed as day-to-day.

---The Vancouver Canucks are sending Zack Kassian to its AHL team on a conditioning assignment and calling will call up forwards Nicklas Jensen and Bill Sweatt, the Vancover Sun reported.

Kassian hasn't played since March 19 against St. Louis.

---Washington Capitals backup goalie Michael Neuvirth was scheduled to start Sunday's game. But he took a puck to the head in Friday's practice and has been replaced in the lineup.

Washington recalled goalie Philipp Grubauer from AHL Hershey to take Neuvirth's spot on the bench to back up Braden Holtby.

--- The Nashville Predators reassigned forward Chris Mueller to Milwaukee of the American Hockey League, the team announced.

Mueller, 27, had two goals and an assist in six games with the Predators.